Early one mornin' while makin' the rounds

I took a shot of cocaine and I shot my woman down

I went right home and I went to bed

I stuck that lovin' 44 beneath my head

Got up next mornin' and I grabbed that gun

took a shot of cocaine and away I run

Made a good run but I run too slow

they overtook me down in Juarez Mexico

Late in the hot joints takin' the pills

in walked the sheriff from Jericho Hill

He said Willy Lee your name is not Jack Brown

You're the dirty heck that shot your woman down

Said yes oh yes my name is Willy Lee

if you've got the warrant just read it to me

Shot her down because she made me slow

I thought I was her daddy but she had five more

When I was arrested I was dressed in black

They put me on a train and they took me back

Had no friend for to go my bail

they slapped my dried up carcass in that county jail

Early next mornin' bout a half past nine

I spied the sheriff coming down the line

Talked and he coughed as he cleared his throat

He said come on you dirty heck into that district court

Into the courtroom my trial began

where I was handled by twelve honest men

Just before the jury started out

I saw the little judge commence to look about

In about five minutes in walked the man

holding the verdict in his right hand

The verdict read in the first degree

Oh, hollered Lord Lord, have a mercy on me

The judge he smiled as he picked up his ben

99 years in the Folsom pen

99 years underneath that ground

I can't forget the day

I shot that bad bitch down

Come on you've gotta listen unto me

lay off that whiskey and let that cocaine be